BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · Iowa: $52,500/year · Difference: +$1,460/year
| Metric | Iowa | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $52,500 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $25.24 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $49,720 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $23.90 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 30.6K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in Iowa is $52,500 per year ($25.24/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $49,720/year. Approximately 30.6 thousand drivers work in this category in Iowa.
Iowa ranks #25 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; Iowa is $1,460 higher (+2.9%).
Pay depends on freight volume, proximity to major distribution hubs and ports, cost of living, employer type (private fleet vs. for-hire), experience, CDL endorsements, and route type (OTR vs. regional vs. local). Specialized freight — hazmat, reefer, flatbed, oversized — typically pays a premium over dry van rates in any state.